Short-term let rules in Inverclyde (updated 29 Oct 2026)

Licence needed (Scotland-wide). All short-term lets (secondary letting, home letting, home sharing) need a licence from the council before taking bookings or guests. Step-by-step licence guide and checklist. Inverclyde Council has no online form: complete the application form and checklist from its short-term lets policy page, plus the Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland checklists, and email them with copies of your documents to licensing.section@inverclyde.gov.uk (or post them to the Licensing Section, Municipal Buildings, Greenock). The same form is used for a new licence, a renewal or a variation. Pay the fee by card over the phone or by bank transfer, quoting the let's address. Display a site notice at or near the property for 21 days from the day you apply, then send the council a certificate of compliance with a copy of the notice. Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue are consulted. Licences and renewals are normally granted for three years, and the council has 9 months to decide a complete application.

No control area. mygov.scot lists only two in Scotland (all of Edinburgh, and Badenoch & Strathspey in Highland). But Inverclyde asks you to contact its planning service (dmplanning@inverclyde.gov.uk) before you apply, to confirm whether you need planning permission or a certificate of lawful use. Where planning permission is needed and has not been obtained, the council can reject the licence application within 14 days ("preliminary refusal") with no refund.

No levy. In June 2026 the Policy and Resources Committee agreed to monitor the national rollout of visitor levies before making any decision for Inverclyde. A council report estimated up to 178 chargeable rooms, with a 2.5% levy raising about £300k a year, which set-up and running costs could cancel out; informal engagement found most local businesses against a levy. The council is more interested in a possible cruise ship levy, which would need new law. Any Scottish levy needs at least 18 months' notice.

Fees from 1 April 2026, by maximum occupancy (4 or under / 5 or more). New licence: secondary letting £508 / £621; home letting or home sharing (or both) £311 / £396. Renewal: secondary letting £451 / £564; home letting or sharing £254 / £339. Variation £85 for any type. These figures are in the council's 2026 short-term lets fee list and its 2026/27 fees and charges booklet. Its short-term lets policy web page still shows the older table (secondary £450 / £550 new, £400 / £500 renewal; variation £75), so if in doubt confirm with licensing.section@inverclyde.gov.uk before you pay.